ABETTORPUNT IMPROVES NZ CUP RANKING
Victorian pacer Abettorpunt has moved three spots to seventh on the latest rankings for the $700,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on November 11.
The 7YO David Lewis-trained Bettor’s Delight gelding improved his ranking after taking out a Group 3 ffa at Ballarat last Friday for driver John Caldow in a track record-equalling 1:53.1 mile.
Abettorpunt, a former runnerup to the ill-fated Sushi Sushi in the 2011 Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO colts and geldings Final, is now the winner of 23 of 59 starts for $413,117.
He finished fourth from a stand start in Christen Me’s Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park, Melton, in February. In his only other stand start race, he ran third in the Nyah Cup last October.
Maximan, the runnerup to Abettorpunt at Ballarat, moves up two spots on the cup rankings to 20th. Formerly, he won five on end last season for Templeton trainer Jimmy Curtin, including the Westport,Reefton and Manawatu Cups, before being sold to clients of Andy Gath’s Victorian stable,
The big surprise was Monday’s withdrawal of previously 13th-ranked Bit Of A Legend.
Trainer Cran Dalgety advised Addington Officials: “the (NZ) Cup is a year too soon for him.”
Latest rankings
1. Terror To Love
2. Christen Me
3. For A Reason (NSW)
4. Adore Me
5. Pembrook Benny
6. Seel N Print (NSW)
7. Abettorpunt (Vict)
8. Franco Ledger
9. Smolda
10. Easy On The Eye
11. Tiger Tara
12. Franco Nelson
13. Jason Rulz
14. Fly Like An Eagle
15. Jimmy Johnstone
______________________
16. Pemberton Shard
17. Four Starzzz Flash
18. Pass Them By
19. Arden Rooney
20. Maximan (Vict)
21. Hands Christian
22. Pure Power
23. Lets Elope
24. Classiesistar
25. Vice Chairman
26. Lewy Risk
Withdrawals: Bit Of A Legend, Averil’s Quest, Themightyquinn, Besotted, Locharburn, Jivin Cullen, Belkmyster, Ballindooley, The Wrath Of Robyn, Maiden Rome, Franco Harrington.
Courtesy of HRNZ